Detroit Tigers: Joey Wentz is going to get his MLB looks before 2022 ends

Detroit Tigers southpaw Joey Wentz is re-joining the team.

The Detroit Tigers have made the move to promote prospect southpaw Joey Wentz. As the Tigers keep trudging on with the last of their 2022 season, Wentz will get his chance to strut his stuff. It’s been a rough go for Wentz since being acquired by the Tigers.

He has had his fair share of injuries that have not made anything easy on him. He’s been making his way towards the Detroit Tigers roster as injuries plagued these attempts. But, after starting the season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, he got his first chance.

He made his debut for the Tigers on May 11, getting yanked after just 2.2 innings of work, allowing six earned runs. It was not the prettiest start to his big league career. He bounced back with a much better four-inning outing on May 31.

He punched out four hitters, allowing just one hit. A step up from his previous outing. However, he did leave the game early with a shoulder injury that lingered… and lingered… and lingered. After enough rest and recovery, Wentz was able to get back on the mound.

He returned to the mound for a rehab start with the West Michigan Whitecaps at the end of July. Following another rehab start, he was promoted back to the Mud Hens, where he made his first start on off the IL on August 10.

After four more starts with the Mud Hens, he has been called up. He will join the Tigers and will get his chance to get back out on a big league mound. It’s going to be Wentz’s chance to get his big league looks in before the 2022 season comes to an end.

Wentz clocks in as the 25th best prospect in the Tigers farm system according to MLB Pipeline. At 24 years old, he has fallen a bit from where he was coming up with the organization. The Tigers have to be curious if Wentz can settle into the big league rotation.

With a wholesale change likely coming to the front office, Wentz being able to finish strong in 2022 could be the chance to get himself in a good spot when a new regime takes over and evaluates what they have.

Wentz has the chance to keep improving. He’s a primarily fastball/changeup southpaw with a breaking ball in the mix as well. If he can keep being efficient with the fastball/changeup combination proving lethal, there’s reason to be excited.

His first go-round with the big leagues was a bit interesting. This will be a great chance to test him and see what Wentz offers as a big league starter.